Rep. Elmer: Bill paves way for 3,080 housing units

By Oregon Representative Lucetta Elmer
March 20, 2025

Representative Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville), introduced House Bill 3939 to increase housing for Oregon’s workforce.

This legislation would provide 3,080 new housing units in the communities of Florence, Baker City, Burns, Ontario, Hines, Dallas, Carlton, Wilsonville, Adair Village, and Grants Pass. Each of the 3,080 housing units is priced at $8,400 in public investment per door.

To qualify for this public-private partnership funding, cities had to show they had shovel-ready infrastructure and housing ready for development, within the city’s current urban growth boundary (UGB), that could be completed within 60 months of receiving a direct allocation from the state. Additionally, local developers in each area had to confirm the affordability would pencil for them: 30% of the completed housing units must be available for sale or rent at 130% or less area median income (AMI) for the county.

“I am thrilled to be bringing this commonsense legislation forward which directly funds desperately needed, shovel-ready infrastructure projects to house our workforce. This legislation is modeled after House Bill 4134 which successfully passed and was signed into law during the 2024 Legislative Session,” said Representative Elmer. “I am a firm believer that our publicly invested dollars go much further when attach a commitment from private investment.”

House Bill 3939 has been referred to the Housing and Homelessness Committee.